Brown Spot Treatments in Ottawa and Manotick

Posted on March 4, 2013 by clarite

Hyperpigmentation ( dark spots) can be a difficult skin condition to treat.  Most people who have this are so pleased to have a clearer, more radiant complexion after treatments.

One of the most important things to do for this condition is to use high quality sunscreens that block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.  With the correct skincare and custom regimes developed at Clarite, we can help you achieve your goals.

Antioxidants combined with sunscreens offer greater protection against increased pigmentation.  Recently, a new product was released by SkinMedica called Lytera, which contains hydroquinone free effective ingredients to lighten age spots, photoaging, and a condition that may arise with pregnancy, known commonly as the pregnancy mask.  Here is a video explaining how to use this .

Clarite is Ottawa’s first clinic to carry this new product.  We also offer a melanin system from Europe, which has a 3 month treatment regime, as well as some other regimes.

 

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Nail Health

Posted on November 16, 2012 by clarite

Often we are asked questions about nail problems.    The three main  conditions are  fungal infections, cracked, or split nails.    Poor nutrition, dryness, overwashing, aging, trauma and  using harsh nail products  all play a roll in nail health.

Nail hydration helps maintain healthy nails – don’t forget nails tissue is dead.  Spending lots of money on products that claim to make nails healthy is generally a waste of money.  It is important to use products to help hydrate such as glycerin along with a bit of lactic acid and urea.

During the Generational Dermatology Summit in New York City, this topic was addressed by well known US dermatologists. For Brittle Nail Syndrome, the importance of hydration, urea, lactic acid and the avoidance of hand sanitizers containing triclosan was discussed.  There are some studies suggesting that oral calcium, zinc, selenium, b12 and Vitamin A may be important.

French manicures and good quality nail polish help to  protect the nails from damage.  Nail shellacs are polymers cured and bonded through UV radiation to the natural nail.  They are  quite long wearing ,  resistant to chips and are attractive. There may be a concern regarding the UV radiation used to cure the shellac.  The wavelength used may possibly damage the retina.

For those who  have underlying health issues or are concerned about catching a nail fungus or bacterial infection it is important to go to the appropriate clinic for pedicures. A  high level of sanitation and sterilization is important, such as that obtained through a  medical facility.  The term “medi pedi” is unregulated – it is not the same as a medical pedicure, where high standards need to be met and a medical doctor with  dermatology training   is present to address your concerns.

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Botox ® for Chronic Migraine

Posted on November 11, 2012 by clarite

Botox ® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is used for the prophylaxis of chronic migraines.  Commonly it is associated with the relaxation of muscles  causing wrinkles such as frown lines to diminish.  This is the cosmetic application of the product.

The use for chronic migraines is approved by Health Canada for the  use to diminish the intensity and severity of migraines in those adults experiencing chronic migraine.  The definition of “chronic” means more than or equal to 15 days per month with headaches lasting at least 4 hours a day.

At Clarite, the medical director has received training at a neurological institute to administer this product.  Many clients are saying that their quality of life has improved since their headaches have diminished. The medication is generally covered by private insurance plans as it is used for a medical purpose.

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Acne Options

Posted on March 11, 2012 by clarite

More and more options are now available for acne.

We are seeing a growing number of adult women with acne. Many factors contribute to acne, including hormonal changes, stress, medications and family history.

Adult women require a different medication base than teenagers. An adolescent male tends to have oily skin and would need a completely different regime than someone with very dry or sensitive skin. An older person could have skin that is drier with hyperpigmentation and fine lines. These problems need to be addressed also. Newer forms of prescription medication have been shown to be very effective in acne control. At Clarite we are up to date with treatment options and only offer those that have been proven to work.

An article in the Dermatology Times of Canada mentioned that “acne, scars and other blemishes on the face can make it harder for people to get a job, researchers from Rice University and the University of Houston said” in the December 2011 edition.

A range of treatments is available at Clarite. A skincare regime will be determined as well as options for medications or/and in office procedures. We have procedures that can help fade hyperpigmentation, smoothen the skin and improve the texture.

We also now carry a unique line of skin care products made specifically for mature skin with acne.

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Dry Skin

Posted on November 14, 2011 by clarite

Now that our furnaces are back on and the summer clothes are going into storage, it is time to think about how our skin reacts to the changes. The most common problem I am seeing now is dry skin. The low humidity levels contribute to dry skin and can cause a flare in eczema. Dry skin is then itchy skin.

A little care will keep you out of trouble. You may have to switch cleansers more mild and hydrating one.. Avoid taking hot baths or showers because this will deplete your skin of natural oils that are protective. Good hydrating creams are important. This does not mean the most expensive cream. A lower priced product is often well tolerated.

A light superficial peel is a nice way to reveal a fresher look. This is accomplished by loosening the dead skin which has built up. The moisturizers then can penetrate better. Just because the sun is not as strong is not a good excuse to stop using sunscreen!

I have just completed an update course at Harvard on esthetic skin therapy and am available to help you with any of your esthetic skin care concerns.

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Laser hair removal needs regulation

Posted on September 20, 2011 by clarite

Did you know that laser hair removal is a largely unregulated practice in Canada?

There are always risks with laser hair removal. Even the best of doctors who have large, busy laser clinics have had incidents of complications. While at Harvard attending a course on laser safety and training I heard some doctors recounting incidents where clients experienced burns, often for unexplained reasons. Maybe they started a new vitamin, used a new cream, or were exposed to the sun without informing the doctor.

If someone has little training and lack of expertise performing the procedure, even more things can go wrong.
Health Canada ensures systems are “safe and effective when used for their licenced medical purposes by trained professionals according to the manufactureres’ directions” (www.hc-sc-gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/laser-eng.php).
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery takes the stance that procedures only be done if there is a medical doctor present with comprehensive training.
Dr. Vince Berucci, a dermatologist at Women’s College Hospital has said “if you have been in practice long enough, you’ll always see complications… And complications can happen to anybody.” CMAJ May 18, 2010

So – before heading out to the cheapest laser special of the day, do research to see who is giving the laser treatments and check to see what their qualifications are. Even though the operator may be a physician, you still have to see what training that person has had. Medications need to be reviewed as well as medical problems. Some prescription medications are photosensitizing and can result in a burn, as can some vitamin pills.
At Clarite, you will receive professional service. Dr. Rice is a member of the Canadian Association of Aesthetic Medicine and has received advanced training in laser safety and use at Harvard and continues to attend update courses to bring you high quality service.

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Microneedling

Posted on March 21, 2011 by clarite

One of the least known treatments for skin aging is called micro-needling.

I was happy to hear during my training at Harvard in October, that microneedling was listed as one of procedures that had clinically proven results. Its results even surpassed one the leading lasers for skin rejuvenation. Although both had good initial results, the microneedling proved to have longlasting effects and the laser did not. At Clarite, we take this one step further and use topical vitamin A creams in conjunction with this treatment for enhanced effects.

Microneedling is a natural way to stimulate normal collagen and helps for smoothing the skin and treating fine wrinkles. It is also effective for lax skin, upper lip lines , shallow acne scars and stretch marks. Any scarring such as acne or stretch marks cannot be completely removed, but the scarring may be minimized.

Principle of Micro-needling
The needles cause microscopic breaks in the blood vessels below the skin (epidermis). This then releases growth factors and blood platelets. Different factors are released which then promote the production of collagen and elastin. The end result is smoother, tighter skin. Immediately after the micro-needling, at Clarite, we apply a strong form of Vitamin A to penetrate through the micro-channels to enhance collagen production.

What to expect
Prior to the treatment, all make-up must be removed. Usually the patient arrives with topical anaesthetic applied 1 hr prior. We cleanse the skin and procede with the roller. We treat region by region of the face followed by the application of Vitamin A and a sunscreen.

Care after Micro-needling
It is expected that you may return to work the day after the treatment. Your skin may look a bit red as in a sun-burn. Lots of hydration and the application of Vitamin A and C after the procedure is important.

If you have had cold sores in the past, it is important to take your antiviral medicications the day before the procedure until 2 days after.

This procedure will not result in significant effect with deep lines or wrinkles. Botox or fillers would be more appropriate.

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